The Classics Department was delighted to host the annual Oxford and Bucks Classical Association Greek Conference. More than eighty pupils and teachers from a range of schools enjoyed three lectures from The University of Oxford academics on the theme of ‘Odysseus, hero of Homer’s great epic poem The Odyssey‘.
Professor Bruno Currie of Oriel College opened the conference by speaking compellingly about the arrival of Odysseus in his homeland of Ithaca after his long journey back from the Trojan War. Dr Emma Greensmith of St John’s College addressed the topic of Odysseus’s longing for home, stressing the struggles he has to endure to achieve his goal. The final talk, by Dr Adrian Kelly of Balliol College, picked up this theme of Odysseus as an epic hero, emphasising his reputation as trickster, traveller and talker.
The lively discussions these talks prompted were testament to their relevance to the work our pupils are doing in both Greek and Classical Civilisation. We are grateful to the Oxford Classical Association for taking up our offer to host this year’s conference and for providing such a range of stimulating speakers.
